Klickitat County

Board of Commissioners

Minutes – Meeting of Tuesday, May 23^rd, 2006

Agenda Item - Comment/Disposition

Call to Order/Roll Call

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Chairman Ray Thayer called the meeting to order at 10:19 AM.

Commissioners present: Ray Thayer, Don Struck and Joan Frey.

Workshop Session Agenda

10:10 AM – Public Works Department Update

Attendance: Public Works Director/County Engineer Scott Smith, Assistant County Engineer Bjorn Hedges and county residents Daniel Lichtenwald and David Sauter.

Director Smith informed the Board that just this morning he had notified PPM Energy, Inc. that they could no longer use Middle Road to haul their wind power equipment because they have failed to keep the road properly maintained, in violation of their agreement with the county. He added that PPM had been given numerous requests and warnings regarding their responsibilities.

Engineer Hedges stated that the department received bids this morning for supplying rock for west-end projects, adding that the department hasn’t had a chance to evaluate the bids or make any award decisions.

Revisiting an issue from last week Engineer Hedges said that they will be evaluating the landslide damage on the BZ-Glenwood Highway and Snowden Road now that they have received an estimated $310,500 in federal grants to repair the damage.

Engineer Hedges said that they were just informed that a key employee working out of the Glenwood maintenance shop will be undergoing surgery and will be off work for about two months. He requested Board approval to hire a temporary employee to help with paving operations. The Board requested more specific information before a decision is made.

Engineer Hedges stated that an upcoming memorandum from GIS Operator Kim Gleason will provide cost information on purchasing a scanner to digitize old road right-of-way documents and request those funds from the Document Preservation Fund. Engineer Hedges noted that costs have turned out to be considerable, largely because many of the old pages are a little larger than legal size, thus requiring an 11x17 inch scanner bed. Commissioner Struck responded that he has discussed the issue with Auditor Pafford, who will contact Ms. Gleason on how to present the request.

Engineer Hedges presented copies of The Wind Farmer, a newsletter providing information on the White Creek wind power project.

Director Smith said that, starting June 1 the department will begin collecting a $100 refundable deposit at the time that road approach permits are issued. (The $100 is refunded upon satisfactory completion of the road approach.)

Chairman Thayer passed on a request from a resident of Pine Forest Road to do some shoulder widening along a portion of the road just north of Goldendale that has a very narrow shoulder. He stated that the resident indicated that three vehicles have recently run off this section of road.

Morning Workshop Session – Tuesday, May 23, 2006 (Continued)

11:00 AM – Solid Waste Department Update

Attendance: Solid Waste Director Tim Hopkinson, Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman, and county residents Daniel Lichtenwald and David Sauter.

Director Hopkinson first provided a handout detailing changes to the county’s recycling program, noting several new items that are now accepted, including shampoo and detergent bottles.

Director Hopkinson stated that citizen participation in the recently concluded electronics recycling program was less than expected, noting that $40,000 of Coordinated Prevention Grant funds had been set aside, while slightly over $5,000 was actually spent. Additionally, another $10,000 supplemental grant application was awarded to the county. Responding to inquiries from the Board, Director Hopkinson said that the county could use the remaining funds (totaling almost $45,000) for other things so long as it qualified under terms of the grants. He said that he would inquire into the possibility of purchasing the plastic compost bins, as suggested by Chairman Thayer, that had been offered by the county a few years ago.

Director Hopkinson said that he had recent conversations with the head ranger at the Horsethief State Park who relayed that the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is going forward with plans to create a hiking trail, part of which lies on the perimeter of the decommissioned Horsethief landfill. Director Hopkinson noted that State Parks will have to sign a disclaimer, along with constructing a cyclone fence and posting signs along the abandoned landfill.

Lunch Recess

The Board recessed for lunch at 11:40 AM.

Call to Order/Roll Call

Regular Meeting for Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Chairman Ray Thayer reconvened the meeting at 1:09 PM.

Commissioners present: Ray Thayer, Don Struck and Joan Frey.

Agenda

Business Agenda

Approved (M/Struck, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) the Business Agenda with two changes: the issues update with Prosecuting Attorney Tim O'Neill scheduled for 2:15 has been cancelled and in its place is an Economic Development Department update from Chief Financial Officer Glen Chipman.

Approval of Commissioner Meeting Minutes

Approved (M/Frey, S/Struck. Passed unanimously) the Klickitat County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes for May 2, 2006 as presented.

Citizen Comment

Cal Edwards provided an update on the High Prairie community center/fire hall project that had been presented to the Board on April 18, 2006. He stated that he has met with Thayne Cockrum, Project Manager at the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) who has agreed to act as the grant administrator for their CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) grant to the state and has reviewed their pre-application. Mr. Edwards then provided copies of the pre-application.

Mr. Edwards then noted that the project’s architect has determined that his estimate of $100 per square foot of completed building is not appropriate for a structure that consists largely of an open shell. Therefore the community has chosen to put back the third bay for the firehouse as was requested by the fire department. Mr. Edwards noted, however that the cost of the project has risen modestly to an estimated $389,000. Mr. Edwards then asked for the county’s support and sponsorship of their grant application.

Commissioner Struck responded that this, of course, would have to be formally placed on the Board’s regular agenda but expressed reservations, stating that he is reluctant to set the precedent of going outside the (Klickitat County Public Economic Development Authority) Community Development process. He added that communities with similar projects have chosen to go through the county’s Community Development grant process and noted that there are 17 fire districts in the county, many of which might decide to request the same county sponsorship of a CDBG grant application. He also stated that if the county is going to submit a CDBG grant application (to the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, or CTED) he sees a more pressing need to resolve water issues in the Dallesport area.

Mr. Edwards replied that he is here to ask and not demand, but requested that the Board keep in mind that the project involves a community center in addition to the fire station.

Commissioner Frey stated that if the county has a need and a worthwhile project, then it should be submitted and submitted quickly. She added that if the Board does approve High Prairie’s request, the answer to other fire districts is that this request was presented to the Board and it was found worthy and there were no competing projects that would present a choice for the county.

Mr. Edwards said that (should the county agree to sponsor this application) there would be two sections of the pre-application that the county would need to complete before sending to CTED. The Board reached consensus to put consideration of this on next week’s agenda.

Public Meetings/Public Hearings/Bid Openings

Public Meeting: Consider Final Approval of Short Plat No. SPL2005-35; Applicant: William Hinkle

Continued (M/Frey, S/Struck. Passed unanimously) the public meeting to 3:00 PM on Tuesday, May 30, 2006. Associate Planner Jannette Herrington noted that they haven’t received all required paperwork.

Public Meeting: Consider Planning Commission Recommendation for Rezone Request ZON2005-03; Applicant: Dean Enterprises

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Adopted (M/Struck, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) Ordinance #O052306 accepting the Planning Commission’s recommendation to amend the Klickitat County Zoning Map to rezone 40 acres of Forest Resource (FR20) and allow a split zone so that the 20 acres to the west is General Rural 5 and the 20 acres to the east is Rural Residential 2, ZON2005-03, the applicant being Dean Enterprises. It was noted that the decision was a compromise between the Planning Commission, the applicant, and the Trout Lake Community Council to allow five acre zoning in the west 20 acres and two acre zoning in the east 20 acres. Planner Herrington noted that Barbara Vanabel, representing the applicant was present and available to answer any questions. Commissioner Struck noted that there are many issues still to be addressed, but these would be dealt with during the actual platting process. Chairman Thayer expressed his thanks for those members of the Planning Commission who took the time to attend the Trout Lake Community Council meeting.

Public Meeting: Consider Planning Commission Recommendation for Preliminary Plat Approval of Columbia Vineyard Subdivision, SUB2006-01; Applicant: Brad Gearhart

Continued (M/Struck, S/Frey. Passed unanimously) to 1:30 PM on Tuesday, June 20, 2006, noting that this will be a public hearing to address an appeal by the applicant, Brad Gearhart. Planner Herrington explained that the applicant objected to a condition called for by the Planning Commission to restrict commercial use of this property. The applicant noted that Rural Center zoning allows for commercial uses and wished for the zoning to prevail, so he therefore appealed this condition.

Consent Agenda

Approved (M/Frey, S/Struck. Passed unanimously) the Consent Agenda in its entirety:

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1. Resolution #08406 in the matter of authorizing and directing the County Auditor to reopen the County Tax Refund Fund No. 122 which was closed in September of 1995.

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2. Resolution #08506 in the matter of authorizing the Code Compliance Officer to commence proceedings to cause the abatement of a nuisance on Parcel No. 04-16-1551-0002/00 – Alan Doubravsky.

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3. Resolution #08606 in the matter of authorizing the Code Compliance Officer to commence proceedings to cause the abatement of a nuisance on Parcel No. 043-11-0551-0004/00 – Alva L. and Terrie Reynolds.

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4. Resolution #08706 in the matter of setting procedures for purchasing using the small works roster and vendors list pursuant to statute.

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5. Resolution #08806 in the matter of appointing an Interim Economic Development Director on an interim basis until a qualified replacement can be recruited and hired.

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6. Resolution #08906 in the matter of appointing Michael Macy to the Klickitat County Public Economic Development Authority filling a vacant County at-large position.

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7. County Program Agreement Amendment No. 6 (#C09906) to the contract between the Department of Social and Health Services, Health and Rehabilitative Services Administration, Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Agreement No. 0363-28175, and Klickitat County (Health Department) to allow an increase of $4,702.00 for over billings in the last biennium.

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8. Request for concurrence to award bid to James Dean Construction Inc. for improvements to 0.84 miles of Saxton Bane Road #34320, CRP #263 and 1.21 miles of Woodland Road #34320, CRP #277, as bid in the amount of $278,566.25.

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9. Notice and invitation to bidders scheduling a bid opening for 1:30 PM on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 for the purchase of Two (2) new Steel Flat Bed Bodies, Snow Plows and V Hopper Sand Spreaders to be mounted on two 2006 Ford F-450’s which will be available July or August 2006.

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10. Resolution #09006 in the matter of temporarily closing various streets in the town of Klickitat from June through November 2006 for construction of the wastewater collection project, noting that no more than two streets will be closed at any one time. Local and emergency traffic will be provided access at all times.

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11. Resolution #09106 scheduling a public hearing for 1:30 PM on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 to consider the vacation of the unused portion of Canyon Road, County Road No. 91110, that portion of old right-of-way, originally established as F.R. Reynolds Road, which lies outside the currently used rights-of-way and a portion of Appleton Road, County Road No. 13160, lying outside of the right of way of the newly constructed alignment.

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12. Attachment C, Contract Agreement (#C10006) between Klickitat County (Senior Services) and Harlow’s Bus Sales, to Contract Agreement GCA4456 (C15305) between Klickitat County (Senior Services) and Washington State Department of Transportation to supply and deliver a 2006 model year wheelchair accessible vehicle as bid.

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13. Resolution #09206 in the matter of declaring certain computer and printer equipment as surplus to be removed from the Budget and Technical Services Department inventory to be disposed of as garbage or recyclable material per the Klickitat County fixed asset policy.

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14. Resolution #09306 in the matter of declaring certain computer equipment as surplus to be removed from the Budget and Technical Services Department inventory to be disposed via yard sale or other public sale per the Klickitat County fixed asset policy.

Department Update

Economic Development Update

Newly appointed Interim Economic Development Director Glen Chipman updated the Board on current departmental issues, noting that he has been familiarizing himself with department organization matters, including current contracts with consultants.

Director Chipman suggested that he could contact White Salmon officials in preparation for Washington Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen’s June 13 visit to discuss the city’s water moratorium. Commissioner Struck responded that a preparatory meeting between the city’s Public Works Director Wil Keyser, Director Chipman and himself should be arranged.

Director Chipman said that he would like to schedule times with each of the Board to discuss department issues and get the Board’s individual views on which direction the department should go.

Director Chipman noted that the High Prairie community grant pre-application will be on next week’s agenda and stated that Board approval of county sponsorship would certainly set a precedent.

Payment Approvals

Voucher Certification and Approval

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Approved Warrants (M/Struck, S/Frey. Passed unanimously):

Accounts Payable: (#155380 – 155599 and an electronic transfer to the Washington State Department of Revenue) $185,854.04

Adjournment (2:47 PM)

Motion by Commissioner Struck to adjourn the meeting, noting that there will be no workshop sessions this Thursday, May 25. Seconded by Commissioner Frey and passed unanimously.

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Reference Document on File